Compatibility can include the option to stack a pair of machines using a special hardware kit. It could also mean machines sync up with each other to optimize performance.
“Pairs come in a variety of styles,” says Allie Chilicki, a CR market analyst. “Most pairs have similar cycles, so if the washer has a casual or wool setting, the dryer will, too. Brands like GE, LG, and Samsung produce smart washers, some of which feature artificial intelligence. These advanced models work in tandem. The dryer may automatically detect the wash cycle and adjust its settings accordingly.”
Top-rated doesn’t necessarily mean expensive. You can find solid washer-dryer pairs that are a good value. Those on our list range from $875 to $4,400, and prices often dip during sales events. There are fewer dryer models than washers on the market, and you’ll find that some match up with multiple washing machines. So CR recommends shopping for your washer first, then finding a compatible dryer.
Read on for an alphabetical list of the washer-dryer sets that earn an impressive combined Overall Score in our tests. LG dominates the top ratings for front-loaders, HE top-loaders, top-load agitators, and dryers, based on the performance of its appliances in our lab tests and the brand’s excellent reliability ratings, as indicated by our member surveys.
CR members can click on each model here for detailed ratings or read on for full reviews of the matching sets. And check out our washing machine buying guide and clothes dryer buying guide to learn more about the different types.
